Phosphonoformic acid hydrazide compounds, their production and their medicinal use

Abstract

The invention relates to phosphonoformic acid hydrazide compounds of the formula ##STR1## and salts thereof wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a C 1 -C 6 -alkyl radical. The compounds are useful as antiviral agents, particularly against herpes viruses. Also included in the invention are processes for preparing said phosphonoformic acid hydrazide compounds, compositions and medicaments containing said phosphonoformic acid hydrazide compounds and methods for the use of said compounds and compositions.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A compound which is a phosphonoformic acid hydrazide of the formula ##STR11## or a salt thereof, in which R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical with 1 to 6 carbon atoms. 
     
     
       2. A compound of claim 1 which is the Na 2  salt of phosphonoformic acid hydrazide. 
     
     
       3. A compound of claim 1 which is the Li 2  salt of phosphonoformic acid hydrazide. 
     
     
       4. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises an antivirally effective amount of a compound according to claim 1 in admixture with an inert pharmaceutical carrier. 
     
     
       5. A pharmaceutical composition of claim 4 in the form of a sterile or physiologically isotonic aqueous solution. 
     
     
       6. A medicament in dosage unit form comprising an antivirally effective amount of a compound of claim 1 together with an inert pharmaceutical carrier. 
     
     
       7. A medicament of claim 6 in the form of tablets, pills, dragees, capsules, ampoules, or suppositories. 
     
     
       8. A method of combating virus illnesses in warm-blooded animals which comprises administering to the animals an active compound according to claim 1 either alone or in admixture with an inert pharmaceutical carrier. 
     
     
       9. A method according to claim 8 in which the active compound is administered in an amount of 10 mg to 1,000 mg per ky body weight per day. 
     
     
       10. A method according to claim 9 in which the active compound is administered parenterally or orally.